Translucent object presence and condition detection based on detected light intensity

ABSTRACT

In embodiments of translucent object presence and condition detection based on detected light intensity, a light is emitted and directed at a first edge of a translucent object along its thickness to pass through the translucent object, such as a lens. An intensity of the light is detected proximate an opposing, second edge of the translucent object. A presence and/or a condition of the translucent object can then be determined based on the detected intensity of the light that passes through the translucent object, where the detected intensity of the light that passes through the translucent object is relative and indicates one of: the presence of the translucent object based on a lower intensity of the light, or the translucent object is not present based on a higher intensity of the light.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/199,627 filed Mar. 6, 2014 entitled “ObjectPresence and Condition Detection,” the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Consumer electronics, such as a gaming system or device, may use ahigh-powered laser and the intensity of the laser light is reducedthrough the use of various lenses and/or translucent material so thatthe laser light is safe to shine on a person, such as on a person's facefor detection and recognition implementations. If a lens or thetranslucent material is missing, has a hole or crack in it, or isotherwise damaged, the laser light may not be properly diffused and theintensity of the light can cause an eye injury to a user of the device.In various systems and devices, safety compliance features areimplemented to verify the presence and condition of the lenses so as toavoid a laser causing eye damage, which can occur in just a matter ofmilliseconds. However, conventional techniques do not directly measurethe presence or condition of the lenses, but rather detect a proxycomponent and infer the condition of the lenses. This can potentiallyresult in false inferences, since the proxy does not guarantee that alens was even installed in the first place, or that it was free ofdamage when it was installed.

SUMMARY

This Summary introduces features and concepts of object presence andcondition detection, which is further described below in the DetailedDescription and/or shown in the Figures. This Summary should not beconsidered to describe essential features of the claimed subject matter,nor used to determine or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Object presence and condition detection is described. In embodiments, alight is emitted that is directed at a first edge of a translucentobject to pass through the translucent object, such as a lens. Anintensity of the light is detected proximate an opposing, second edge ofthe translucent object. A presence and/or a condition of the translucentobject can then be determined based on the detected intensity of thelight that passes through the object. The translucent object can beimplemented as a multi-lens array, and a laser light is directed throughoptic surfaces of the multi-lens array with a laser. The presence andthe condition of the multi-lens array can be continuously determined asa safety compliance of the laser light being directed through themulti-lens array.

In implementations, the detected intensity of the light that passesthrough the translucent object is relative, and can indicate thepresence of the object based on a higher intensity of the light, or theobject is not present based on a lower intensity of the light.Additionally, the detected intensity of the light that passes throughthe translucent object can indicate a damaged condition of the object,such as when the detected intensity of the light is approximately thatof the lower intensity of the light. An object detection application canbe implemented as part of a system that includes a light emitter, thetranslucent object, and a light detector. The object detectionapplication can receive a voltage signal from the light detector, wherethe voltage signal is variable and corresponds to the detected intensityof the light that passes through the translucent object. The objectdetection application can then determine the presence and/or thecondition of the translucent object based on the received voltagesignal. The voltage signal may be one of above or below a voltagecomparison threshold, or can be comparable to a light emission signatureof the translucent object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of object presence and condition detection are describedwith reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be usedthroughout to reference like features and components that are shown inthe Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates example method(s) of object presence and conditiondetection in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of the example system in whichembodiments of object presence and condition detection can beimplemented.

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of the example system in whichembodiments of object presence and condition detection can beimplemented.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented.

FIG. 6 illustrates example method(s) of object presence and conditiondetection in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an implementation of the example system in whichembodiments of object presence and condition detection can beimplemented.

FIG. 8 illustrates an implementation of the example system in whichembodiments of object presence and condition detection can beimplemented.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example system with an example device that canimplement embodiments of object presence and condition detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of object presence and condition detection are described andcan be implemented to continuously and in real-time detect the presenceand/or condition of a translucent object, such as a lens. Inimplementations, a light emitter directs a light at an edge of atranslucent object to pass through the object. An intensity of the lightis detected by a light detector at an opposing edge of the translucentobject, and the presence and/or condition of the object can then bedetermined based on the detected intensity of the light that passesthrough the translucent object.

In a system, the translucent object can be implemented as a multi-lensarray, and a laser light is directed through optic surfaces of themulti-lens array with a laser. The light emitter directs the emittedlight through the multi-lens array from one edge to another in adirection perpendicular to an axis of the optic surfaces of themulti-lens array. The emitted light is non-intrusive to the function ofthe multi-lens array and does not interfere with the projection of thelaser light. The presence and the condition of the multi-lens array canbe continuously determined as a safety compliance feature when using thelaser light that is directed through the optic surfaces of themulti-lens array.

While features and concepts of object presence and condition detectioncan be implemented in any number of different devices, systems,networks, environments, and/or configurations, embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection are described in the context of thefollowing example devices, systems, and methods.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 100includes a light emitter 102, a light detector 104, and a translucentobject 106. The light emitter 102 can be implemented as any type oflight source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), that emits a light108, which is directed at a first edge 110 of the translucent object.The light emitter 102 can be implemented as one or more LEDs or othertypes of lights in the visible light spectrum, or in the infra-red (IR)light spectrum. The emitted light 108 is directed to pass through thetranslucent object 106 and the light detector 104 detects an intensityof the light proximate an opposing, second edge 112 of the translucentobject. A presence and/or a condition of the translucent object 106 canthen be determined based on the detected intensity of the light thatpasses through the object. The intensity of the light after travelingthrough the translucent object 106, as measured by the light detector104, will be different depending on the presence and condition of theobject, and a variable detector output can provide the presence andcondition information in continuous real-time.

The light detector 104 can be implemented as a photo transistor, opticaldetector, or any type of transducer that has sensitivity to thewavelengths generated by the light emitter and that converts the lightintensity to another signal form, such as to generate a voltage signal114 corresponding to the detected intensity of the light 108 that passesthrough the translucent object. The presence and/or the condition of thetranslucent object 106 can be based on the voltage signal, which may bedetermined as being above or below a voltage comparison threshold, orcan be comparable to a light emission signature of the translucentobject.

Generally, the translucent object 106 can be any type of object that istransparent or semi-transparent allowing light to pass through, muchlike a waveguide, and may be implemented as any type of optic lens, lenssystem, or other object having any shape, color, and/or configuration.The translucent object 106 acts as a waveguide and concentrates thelight emitter's divergent light beams, which can produce a higherintensity light at the light detector 104 than would otherwise occur ifthe translucent object was not present in the system. Any damage to thetranslucent object, such as a hole, a crack, or other type of damage,will reduce the passage of light through the object and thus reduce theintensity of light that the light detector receives. Therefore, todetect a high-enough intensity of the light at the light detector 104 tosignal an acceptable condition, the translucent object 106 must bepresent (e.g., for the light 108 to pass through), and not damaged,which reduces the intensity of the light that can be detected. Inalternate implementations, a light emitter 102 that emits a directedlight can be utilized and the light is detected at a higher intensity bythe light detector 104 if the translucent object 106 is not present. Theintensity of the detected light may then be lower when the translucentobject 106 is present due to dissipation of the light as it passesthrough the object.

In various implementations, the translucent object 106 may beimplemented as a multi-lens array as described with reference to FIG. 3.The translucent object 106 may also be implemented as an optic lens asdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. The translucent object 106 may alsobe implemented as a combination of objects as described with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8. In the lens implementations, the light emitter 102 andthe light detector 104 are aligned with the width (e.g., the thickness)of a lens, as opposed to the functional direction of a lens. Forexample, the light emitter 102 directs the emitted light 108 through alens from one edge to another in a direction perpendicular to an axis ofthe optic surfaces of the lens, and the emitted light is non-intrusiveto the function of a lens. In other implementations, techniques of theexample system 100 may be implemented for any number of scenarios, suchas in a tamper proof device to check that some component has not beenremoved, in a camera system to check that a lens has not been removed orhas been installed, or in any type of system or device replacing amechanical switch or for other fail-safe component checks.

Example methods 200 and 600 are described with reference to respectiveFIGS. 2 and 6 in accordance with one or more embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection. Generally, any of the components,modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implementedusing software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manualprocessing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the examplemethods may be described in the general context of executableinstructions stored on computer-readable storage memory that is localand/or remote to a computer processing system, and implementations caninclude software applications, programs, functions, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates example method(s) 200 of object presence andcondition detection, and is generally described with reference to theexample system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The order in which the method isdescribed is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and anynumber or combination of the method operations can be performed in anyorder to implement a method, or an alternate method.

At 202, light is emitted and directed to pass through a translucentobject, and the light is directed at a first edge of the translucentobject. For example, the light emitter 102 emits the light 108 that isdirected at the first edge 110 of the translucent object 106 to passthrough the object. At 204, an intensity of the light is detectedproximate an opposing, second edge of the translucent object. Forexample, the light detector 104 detects an intensity of the lightproximate the opposing, second edge 112 of the translucent object 106.

At 206, a presence of the translucent object is determined based on thedetected intensity of the light that passes through the translucentobject. For example, the light detector 104 converts the detectedintensity of the light 108 into the voltage signal 114 from which thepresence of the translucent object 106 can be determined. Inimplementations, the detected intensity of the light is relative andindicates the presence of the translucent object based on a higherintensity of the light, or the translucent object is not present basedon a lower intensity of the light. For example, the translucent object106 acts as a waveguide and concentrates the light, which is detected asa higher intensity of the light at the light detector 104, resulting ina lower voltage signal. If the translucent object 106 is not present inthe system, then the light can be detected at a lower intensity of thelight at the light detector 104, resulting in a higher voltage signal.Alternatively, the system may be implemented so that the detectedintensity of the light indicates the presence of the translucent objectbased on a lower intensity of the light (e.g., and/or a lower voltagesignal), or the translucent object is not present based on a higherintensity of the light (e.g., and/or a higher voltage signal).

At 208, a condition of the translucent object is determined based on thedetected intensity of the light that passes through the translucentobject. For example, the light detector 104 converts the detectedintensity of the light 108 into the voltage signal 114 from which thecondition of the translucent object 106 is determined. Any damage to thetranslucent object, such as a hole, a crack, or other type of damage,will reduce the passage of light through the object and thus reduce theintensity of light that the light detector 104 receives. If thetranslucent object is damaged, or otherwise not in an operablecondition, then the light will be detected at a lower intensity at thelight detector 104, resulting in a higher voltage signal, similar towhen the translucent object is not present in the system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example system 300 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 300includes the light emitter 102 and the light detector 104 as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. The system 300 also includes a multi-lensarray 302, which is an example of a translucent object, through whichthe light emitter 102 emits the light 108, which is directed at a firstedge 304 of the multi-lens array. The emitted light 108 is directed topass through the multi-lens array 302 and the light detector 104 detectsan intensity of the light proximate an opposing, second edge 306 of themulti-lens array. The light emitter 102 and the light detector 104 arealigned with the width (e.g., the thickness) of the multi-lens array302, as opposed to the functional direction of the multi-lens array.

The example system 300 also includes a laser 308 that directs a laserlight 310 through optic surfaces 312 of the multi-lens array 302. Thelight emitter 102 directs the light 108 through the multi-lens arrayfrom the first edge 304 to the second edge 306 in a directionperpendicular to an axis 314 of the optic surfaces 312 of the multi-lensarray. The emitted light 108 is non-intrusive to the function of themulti-lens array 302 and does not interfere with the projection of thelaser light. The presence and the condition of the multi-lens array canbe continuously determined based on the detected intensity of the lightthat passes through the multi-lens array, and as a safety compliancefeature when using the laser light that is directed through the opticsurfaces of the multi-lens array.

The light detector 104 converts the detected light intensity to anothersignal form (e.g., the voltage signal 114) that corresponds to thedetected intensity of the light 108 that passes through the multi-lensarray. The voltage signal 114 that indicates the presence and/or thecondition of the multi-lens array 302 can be input to an emergencyshut-off switch 316 that turns off the laser 308 if the multi-lens arrayis determined not to be present in the system, is damaged, or is in someother inoperable condition. The example system 300 has a fast responsetime (e.g., on the order of microseconds) to detect and signal theemergency shut-off switch 316, and prevent potential injury that may becaused by the laser light. The system is applicable and can beimplemented for any consumer device that may require a similar safetycompliance feature.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 400 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 400includes the light emitter 102 and the light detector 104 as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. The system 400 also includes an optic lens402, which is an example of a translucent object, through which thelight emitter 102 emits the light 108, which is directed at a first edge404 of the lens. The emitted light 108 is directed to pass through thelens 402 and the light detector 104 detects an intensity of the lightproximate an opposing, second edge 406 of the lens. The light emitter102 and the light detector 104 are aligned with the width (e.g., thethickness) of the lens 402, as opposed to the functional direction ofthe lens. The light emitter 102 directs the light 108 through the lensfrom the first edge 404 to the second edge 406 along a diameter 408 ofthe lens and in a direction perpendicular to an axis 410 of the opticsurfaces of the lens.

The example system 400 can also include any type of imaging and/orillumination component 412 that directs light 414 through the lens, orreceives the light 414 through the lens. The emitted light 108 isnon-intrusive to the function of the optic lens 402 and does notinterfere with the light 414 that is directed and/or received throughthe optic surfaces of the lens. The presence and the condition of thelens 402 can be continuously determined based on the detected intensityof the light that passes through the lens. The light detector 104converts the detected light intensity to another signal form (e.g., thevoltage signal 114) that corresponds to the detected intensity of thelight 108 that passes through the lens. The voltage signal 114 thatindicates the presence and/or the condition of the lens 402 can then beinput to a signal comparator 416 that controls the imaging and/orillumination component 412 based on whether the lens is determined to bepresent or not in the system, is damaged, or is in some other inoperablecondition. The example system 400 is applicable and can be implementedfor any consumer device, such as to detect the presence of a lens in aninterchangeable lens system, to detect not only that a translucentobject has been installed, but that the object has been installedcorrectly, and/or for any other user operability verification and/orsafety check.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system 500 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 500includes an example computing device 502 that may be any one orcombination of a wired or wireless device, such as a mobile phone,tablet, computing, communication, entertainment, gaming, media playback,desktop computer, and/or other type of device implemented as a computingdevice. For example, the computing device 502 may be a gaming device, ora component of a gaming system, and include the example system 300 asshown and described with reference to FIG. 3. The computing device 502can include a wired and/or battery power source 504 to power thecomponents, such as the light emitter 102, the light detector 104, themulti-lens array 302, and the laser 308 that generates the laser light310. Any of the devices described herein, such as the computing device502, can be implemented with various components, such as a processingsystem and memory, as well as any number and combination of differingcomponents as further described with reference to the example deviceshown in FIG. 9.

The computing device 502 includes an object detection application 506that can be implemented as a software application (e.g., executableinstructions) stored on a computer-readable storage memory, such as anysuitable memory device or electronic data storage. The computing device502 can be implemented with a computer-readable storage memory asdescribed with reference to the example device shown in FIG. 9.Additionally, the computing device can be executed with a processingsystem to implement embodiments of object presence and conditiondetection, as described herein.

In embodiments, the object detection application 506 is implemented toreceive the voltage signal 114 from the light detector 104, from whichthe object detection application can determine lens presence 508 and/ora lens condition 510 (e.g., of the multi-lens array 302). The lightdetector 104 converts the detected light intensity into the voltagesignal 114 that corresponds to the detected intensity of the light 108that passes through the multi-lens array 302. The presence 508 and/orthe condition 510 of the multi-lens array can be continuously determinedby the object detection application 506 as a safety compliance featurewhen using the laser light that is directed through the optic surfacesof the multi-lens array.

In an embodiment, the object detection application 506 is implemented tocompare the variable voltage signal 114 to a voltage comparisonthreshold 512 to determine the lens presence 508 and/or the lenscondition 510 of the multi-lens array 302. An example 514 illustratesthe voltage comparison threshold 512 based on a voltage output 516(e.g., the voltage signal) from the light detector 104. In this example,an undamaged lens (e.g., the multi-lens array 302) that is present inthe system at 518 results in a lower voltage output that is below thevoltage comparison threshold 512, which indicates an operating conditionof the lens is acceptable at 520. As described earlier with reference tothe example systems, the multi-lens array 302 can act as a waveguide andconcentrate the emitted light 108, which is detected as a higherintensity of the light at the light detector 104, resulting in the lowervoltage output that indicates an operating condition of the multi-lensarray is acceptable.

The example 514 further illustrates that a lens missing from the systemat 522 (e.g., no lens) results in a higher voltage output that is abovethe voltage comparison threshold 512, which indicates an operatingcondition of the lens that is unacceptable at 524. As described earlier,if the multi-lens array 302 is not present in the system, then theemitted light 108 is detected at a lower intensity of the light at thelight detector 104, resulting in the higher voltage output thatindicates the operating condition of the multi-lens array isunacceptable. Based on a determination of the unacceptable operatingcondition, the object detection application 506 can initiate turning offthe laser 308, such as by signaling the shut-off switch 316.

Similarly, the example 514 illustrates that damage to the multi-lensarray 302 results in a higher voltage output that is above the voltagecomparison threshold 512, such as if the multi-lens array has a hole init at 526 or is otherwise damaged at 528 (e.g., has been cracked orgrooved). The higher voltage outputs that are above the voltagecomparison threshold 512 indicate that the operating condition of themulti-lens array is unacceptable. In this implementation, any of theunacceptable operating conditions drive the voltage output 516 in thesame direction, as voltage outputs that are higher than the voltagecomparison threshold 512, thus making it simple for the object detectionapplication 506 to compare the voltage signal 114 against the comparisonthreshold 512 and distinguish the unacceptable operating conditions froman acceptable operating condition.

Although the voltage comparison threshold 512 is shown and described asa single voltage output level, the voltage comparison threshold 512 mayalso be implemented as a voltage comparison range 530, such as shown inthe example 514. The voltage comparison threshold 512 and/or the voltagecomparison range 530 can be established based on characterizing hundredsof similar lenses or translucent objects, and determining a typicalvoltage range of the voltage signal 114 that is output from the lightdetector 104. In similar implementations, the object detectionapplication 506 can detect the condition in which the multi-lens array302 is present and undamaged in the system, yet has been installedupside-down, based on a voltage signal that is similar to when themulti-lens array is missing from the system.

In other systems and implementations, the presence and/or the conditionof the multi-lens array 302 can be based on a comparison of the voltagesignal 114 to a light emission signature 532 of the multi-lens array.For example, the emitted light 108 that passes through a translucentobject may be detected based on a unique geometry and/or configurationof the object, and the light that is detected by the light detector 104is a unique light emission signature 532 of the particular object. Inthe computing device 502, the multi-lens array 302 of the example system300 can be initially calibrated to determine its light emissionsignature 532. The object detection application 506 can thencontinuously and in real-time determine the presence and/or thecondition of the multi-lens array 302 based a comparison of the lightemission signature 532 to the voltage signal 114 that is received fromlight detector 104.

FIG. 6 illustrates example method(s) 600 of object presence andcondition detection, and is generally described with reference to theexample system 500 shown in FIG. 5. The order in which the method isdescribed is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and anynumber or combination of the method operations can be performed in anyorder to implement a method, or an alternate method.

At 602, a laser light is directed through optic surfaces of a lens witha laser. For example, the laser 308 that is implemented in the computingdevice 502 (FIG. 5) generates the laser light 310 that is directedthrough the optic surfaces 312 (FIG. 3) of the multi-lens array 302. At604, light is emitted and directed to pass through the lens, and thelight is directed at a first edge of the lens. For example, the lightemitter 102 emits the light 108 that is directed at the first edge 304of the multi-lens array 302 to pass through the multi-lens array.

At 606, an intensity of the light is detected proximate an opposing,second edge of the lens. For example, the light detector 104 detects anintensity of the light 108 proximate the opposing, second edge 306 ofthe multi-lens array 302. In the example systems, a lens can beimplemented as the multi-lens array 302 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, or asthe optic lens 402 shown in FIG. 4, and the light 108 is emitted anddirected to pass through along the diameter 408 of the optic lens andperpendicular to the axis 410 of the lens. The detected intensity of thelight that passes through any of the translucent objects is relative andcan indicate the presence of an object based on a higher intensity ofthe light, or that the object is not present based on a lower intensityof the light. Alternatively, systems may be implemented to determine thepresence of a translucent object based on a lower intensity of thelight, or that the object is not present based on a higher intensity ofthe light.

At 608, a voltage signal is received that corresponds to the detectedintensity of the light that passes through the lens. For example, theobject detection application 506 that is implemented by the computingdevice 502 receives the voltage signal 114, and the object detectionapplication can determine the presence and/or the condition of themulti-lens array 302 based on the voltage signal that corresponds to thedetected intensity of the light.

At 610, a determination is made as to whether the lens is present basedon the detected intensity of the light that passes through the lens. Forexample, the object detection application 506 determines the presence ofthe multi-lens array 302 in the system based on the voltage signal 114being one of above or below the voltage comparison threshold 512, or theobject detection application 506 compares the voltage signal 114 to thelight emission signature 532 of the multi-lens array.

If the lens is not present, such as having been removed or is broken out(i.e., “no” from 610), then at 612, the laser is turned off. Forexample, the object detection application 506 initiates turning off thelaser 308, such as by signaling the shut-off switch 316. If the lens ispresent (i.e., “yes” from 610), then at 614, a determination is made asto whether the lens is in an operable condition based on the detectedintensity of the light that passes through the lens. For example, theobject detection application 506 determines whether the multi-lens array302 is in an operable condition based on the voltage signal 114 thatcorresponds to the detected intensity of the light, which indicates adamaged condition of the multi-lens array if the detected intensity isapproximately that of the lower intensity of the light.

If the lens is not in an operable condition, such as having been crackedor otherwise damaged (i.e., “no” from 614), then at 612, the laser isturned off. For example, the object detection application 506 initiatesturning off the laser 308, such as by signaling the shut-off switch 316.If the lens is in an operable condition (i.e., “yes” from 614), then at616, the presence and the condition of the lens is continuouslydetermined in real-time as a safety compliance when the laser light isdirected through the lens. Accordingly, the method continues at 610 todetermine whether the lens (e.g., the multi-lens array 302) is presentand at 614 to determine whether the lens is in an operable conditionbased on the detected intensity of the light that passes through thelens.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system 700 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 700includes the light emitter 102 and the light detector 104 as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. The system 700 also includes multipletranslucent objects 106 in a stacked configuration 702 through which thelight emitter 102 emits the light 108. The emitted light 108 is directedto pass through the translucent objects 106 and the light detector 104detects an overall intensity of the light that passes through thestacked configuration 702 of the translucent objects. The example system700 illustrates that one set of the light emitter 102 and light detector104 components can be implemented for multiple translucent objects.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system 800 in which embodiments of objectpresence and condition detection can be implemented. The system 800includes a similar stack configuration 802 of the translucent objects106 as described with reference to FIG. 1. The example system 800illustrates that, for multiple translucent objects, each translucentobject is implemented with an associated set of the light emitter 102and light detector 104 components. Each light emitter 102 emits thelight 108 that is directed to a particular one of the translucentobjects 106, and a corresponding light detector 104 detects theintensity of the light that passes through the particular, associatedtranslucent object.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example system 900 that includes an example device902, which can implement embodiments of object presence and conditiondetection. The example device 902 can be implemented as any of thecomputing devices described with reference to the previous FIGS. 1-8,such as any type of client device, mobile phone, tablet, computing,communication, entertainment, gaming, media playback, and/or other typeof device. For example, the computing device 502 shown in FIG. 5 may beimplemented as the example device 902.

The device 902 includes communication devices 904 that enable wiredand/or wireless communication of device data 906, such as objectpresence and condition determination information, voltage comparisonthreshold values, and light emission signatures of the varioustranslucent objects, lenses, and multi-lens arrays. Additionally, thedevice data can include any type of audio, video, and/or image data. Thecommunication devices 904 can also include transceivers for cellularphone communication and for network data communication.

The device 902 also includes input/output (I/O) interfaces 908, such asdata network interfaces that provide connection and/or communicationlinks between the device, data networks, and other devices. The I/Ointerfaces can be used to couple the device to any type of components,peripherals, and/or accessory devices. The I/O interfaces also includedata input ports via which any type of data, media content, and/orinputs can be received, such as user inputs to the device, as well asany type of audio, video, and/or image data received from any contentand/or data source.

The device 902 includes a processing system 910 that may be implementedat least partially in hardware, such as with any type ofmicroprocessors, controllers, and the like that process executableinstructions. The processing system can include components of anintegrated circuit, programmable logic device, a logic device formedusing one or more semiconductors, and other implementations in siliconand/or hardware, such as a processor and memory system implemented as asystem-on-chip (SoC). Alternatively or in addition, the device can beimplemented with any one or combination of software, hardware, firmware,or fixed logic circuitry that may be implemented with processing andcontrol circuits. The device 902 may further include any type of asystem bus or other data and command transfer system that couples thevarious components within the device. A system bus can include any oneor combination of different bus structures and architectures, as well ascontrol and data lines.

The device 902 also includes a computer-readable storage memory 912,such as data storage devices that can be accessed by a computing device,and that provide persistent storage of data and executable instructions(e.g., software applications, programs, functions, and the like).Examples of the computer-readable storage memory 912 include volatilememory and non-volatile memory, fixed and removable media devices, andany suitable memory device or electronic data storage that maintainsdata for computing device access. The computer-readable storage memorycan include various implementations of random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and other types of storage mediain various memory device configurations.

The computer-readable storage memory 912 provides storage of the devicedata 906 and various device applications 914, such as an operatingsystem that is maintained as a software application with thecomputer-readable storage memory and executed by the processing system910. In this example, the device applications include an objectdetection application 916 that implements embodiments of object presenceand condition detection, such as when the example device 902 isimplemented as the computing device 502 shown in FIG. 5. An example ofthe object detection application 916 is the object detection application506 that is implemented by the computing device 502, as described withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The device 902 also includes an audio and/or video system 918 thatgenerates audio data for an audio device 920 and/or generates displaydata for a display device 922. The audio device and/or the displaydevice include any devices that process, display, and/or otherwiserender audio, video, display, and/or image data. In implementations, theaudio device and/or the display device are integrated components of theexample device 902. Alternatively, the audio device and/or the displaydevice are external, peripheral components to the example device.

In embodiments, at least part of the techniques described for objectpresence and condition detection may be implemented in a distributedsystem, such as over a “cloud” 924 in a platform 926. The cloud 924includes and/or is representative of the platform 926 for services 928and/or resources 930. For example, the services 928 and/or the resources930 may include the object detection application, as well as the variousobject presences and detection data.

The platform 926 abstracts underlying functionality of hardware, such asserver devices (e.g., included in the services 928) and/or softwareresources (e.g., included as the resources 930), and connects theexample device 902 with other devices, servers, etc. The resources 930may also include applications and/or data that can be utilized whilecomputer processing is executed on servers that are remote from theexample device 902. Additionally, the services 928 and/or the resources930 may facilitate subscriber network services, such as over theInternet, a cellular network, or Wi-Fi network. The platform 926 mayalso serve to abstract and scale resources to service a demand for theresources 930 that are implemented via the platform, such as in aninterconnected device embodiment with functionality distributedthroughout the system 900. For example, the functionality may beimplemented in part at the example device 902 as well as via theplatform 926 that abstracts the functionality of the cloud 924.

Although embodiments of object presence and condition detection havebeen described in language specific to features and/or methods, theappended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features ormethods described. Rather, the specific features and methods aredisclosed as example implementations of object presence and conditiondetection.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: emitting light thatis directed to pass through a translucent object, the light directed ata first edge of the translucent object along its thickness; detecting anintensity of the light proximate an opposing, second edge of thetranslucent object; determining a presence of the translucent objectbased on the detected intensity of the light that passes through thetranslucent object, the detected intensity of the light that passesthrough the translucent object is relative and indicates one of: thepresence of the translucent object based on a lower intensity of thelight; or the translucent object is not present based on a higherintensity of the light.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein thetranslucent object is an optic lens, and said emitting the light isdirected to pass through along a diameter of the optic lens andperpendicular to an axis of the optic lens.
 3. The method as recited inclaim 1, further comprising: determining a condition of the translucentobject based on the detected intensity of the light that passes throughthe translucent object.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, furthercomprising: directing a laser light through optic surfaces of thetranslucent object with a laser; and continuously said determining thepresence and the condition of the translucent object to prevent shut-offof said directing the laser light through the translucent object.
 5. Themethod as recited in claim 4, further comprising: shutting-off the laserlight responsive to determining a damaged condition of the translucentobject.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the translucentobject is a multi-lens array, and said emitting the light that isdirected at the first edge of the multi-lens array to pass through tothe opposing, second edge of the multi-lens array.
 7. The method asrecited in claim 6, wherein the detected intensity of the lightindicates that the multi-lens array has been installed upside down. 8.The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detected intensity of thelight indicates a damaged condition of the translucent object.
 9. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising: receiving a voltagesignal from a light detector that detects the intensity of the lightthat passes through the translucent object, and said determining thepresence of the translucent object based on the voltage signal thatcorresponds to the detected intensity of the light.
 10. The method asrecited in claim 9, wherein the presence of the translucent object isdetermined based on the voltage signal being: one of above or below avoltage comparison threshold; or comparable to a light emissionsignature of the translucent object, the light emission signature of thetranslucent object calibrated with the light detector when thetranslucent object is in an operable condition.
 11. A system,comprising: a light emitter configured to emit light that is directed topass through a translucent object, the light directed at a first edge ofthe translucent object along its thickness; a light detector configuredto detect an intensity of the light proximate an opposing, second edgeof the translucent object along its thickness, a presence of thetranslucent object determinable based on the detected intensity of thelight that passes through the translucent object, the detected intensityof the light that passes through the translucent object relative andindicating one of: the presence of the translucent object based on alower intensity of the light; or the translucent object is not presentbased on a higher intensity of light.
 12. The system as recited in claim11, further comprising: a memory and processing system to implement anobject detection application that is configured to: receive a voltagesignal from the light detector, the voltage signal corresponding to thedetected intensity of the light that passes through the translucentobject; and determine the presence of the translucent object based onthe received voltage signal.
 13. The system as recited in claim 12,wherein the object detection application is configured to determine thepresence of the translucent object based on the voltage signal being:one of above or below a voltage comparison threshold; or comparable to alight emission signature of the translucent object, the light emissionsignature of the translucent object calibrated with the light detector.14. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising: a laserconfigured to direct a laser light through optic surfaces of thetranslucent object; and wherein: the object detection application isconfigured to continuously determine the presence and the condition ofthe lens to prevent shut-off of the laser light being directed throughthe translucent object.
 15. The system as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising: a shut-off switch configured to shut-off the laserresponsive to receiving an indication of an inoperable condition of thetranslucent object from the object detection application.
 16. The systemas recited in claim 11, wherein the translucent object is a multi-lensarray and the light is directed at the first edge of the multi-lensarray to pass through to the opposing, second edge of multi-lens array.17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the detected intensity ofthe light indicates that the multi-lens array has been installed upsidedown.
 18. A system, comprising: a laser configured to direct a laserlight through optic surfaces of translucent objects that are implementedin a stacked configuration; and a memory and processing system toimplement an object detection application that is configured tocontinuously determine a presence and a condition of the translucentobjects to prevent shut-off of the laser light being directed throughthe optic surfaces of the translucent objects.
 19. The system as recitedin claim 18, wherein: each one of the translucent objects has anassociated set of light emitter and light detector components; anassociated light emitter configured to emit a light along a diameter ofa respective translucent object perpendicular to the optic surface ofthe translucent object; and an associated light detector configured todetect the intensity of the light that passes through the respectivetranslucent object.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein thedetected intensity of the light that passes through the respectivetranslucent object is relative and indicates one of: the presence of therespective translucent object based on a lower intensity of the light;or the respective translucent object is not present based on a higherintensity of the light.